Evaluate & Compare
Repair or replace your air conditioner?
A no-pressure way to decide whether to fix or replace the AC in your Des Moines home — based on age, repair history, and refrigerant, not a sales pitch.
For an air conditioner, start with the $5,000 rule: multiply the unit’s age by its most recent repair cost. Around $5,000 or more — or an AC past its roughly 14-year average life in Iowa — usually means replacement is the smarter spend. Two extra AC-specific signals: an R-22 system with a leak leans heavily toward replacement, while a younger unit on modern refrigerant is usually worth repairing. Run your numbers below.
Repair-or-Replace Calculator
Should I repair or replace my furnace or AC?
The fastest gut check is the $5,000 rule: multiply your system’s age in years by the cost of its most recent repair. If the result is around $5,000 or more — or the unit is past its average service life — replacement usually saves money over the next few years. Below that, a repair often still makes sense. In Des Moines, IA, a system that struggles through a summer heat wave or a deep-winter cold snap is also a strong signal to plan ahead.
Replacement is usually the smarter spend
The math points to a new system saving you money and headaches over the next few years.
- Age x last repair cost is about $7,200, at or above the $5,000 rule of thumb for replacement.
- At 12 years it is near the end of the ~14-year average service life.
- Occasional repairs are normal as a system ages, but they add up — track the trend.
Common misconception
“It is always cheaper to repair.” Not when repairs stack up. A 15-year-old system limping through an Iowa summer can cost more in back-to-back repairs and high energy use than a new, efficient unit would over the same span — and an R-22 AC leak alone can rival the price of replacement.
Signs it’s time to replace the AC
- It's 12–15+ years old. Central ACs average about 14 years in Iowa's climate. Past that, parts get scarce and a big repair is money sunk into a system near the end of its life.
- It uses R-22 and has a leak. R-22 refrigerant is phased out, so recharging a leaking R-22 system is expensive and getting harder. A refrigerant leak on an older R-22 unit often tips the decision to replace.
- Repairs are stacking up. One repair is normal. Three service calls in a season — or a second major repair within a year or two — usually costs more over time than replacing.
- Cooling is weak or uneven. Rooms that never get comfortable, long run times, or repeated freeze-ups point to a system that's losing the fight with an Iowa summer.
When a repair still makes sense
- It's under about 10 years old. A younger AC usually has plenty of life left, so a one-off repair is the smart spend.
- It's the first or an occasional repair. Wear items like a capacitor or contactor are inexpensive and routine — not a reason to replace.
- It runs on R-410A or R-454B. Modern refrigerants aren't phased out, so a repair keeps a sound system going without the R-22 cost problem.
Not cooling at all before you decide? Rule out the quick stuff first with why is my AC blowing warm air, and if you do replace, see what affects installation cost.
Iowa myth vs. truth
Myth: “Just keep recharging the refrigerant every summer.”
Refrigerant isn’t fuel — a sealed AC never “uses it up.” If your system needs a recharge, it has a leak. On an older R-22 unit, repeated recharges get expensive fast and only delay the inevitable, which is why a leaking R-22 AC often points straight to replacement.
Get a professional diagnostic
Still on the fence about your Des Moines AC?
The calculator is a starting point — the real answer comes from an on-site diagnostic. All Seasons HVAC inspects your system, checks for leaks, and gives you an honest repair-or-replace recommendation for your Des Moines home.
Common questions
Should I repair or replace my AC?
Use the $5,000 rule: multiply the AC's age by its most recent repair cost. Around $5,000 or more — or a unit past its roughly 14-year average life — usually means replacement saves money. Below that, with a younger system, a repair often still makes sense. The calculator on this page walks you through it.
Is it worth replacing an R-22 air conditioner?
Often yes. R-22 refrigerant is phased out, so recharging a leaking R-22 system is costly and only gets worse. If an older R-22 unit develops a refrigerant leak, replacement is frequently the better long-term value than repeated recharges.
How long do air conditioners last in Iowa?
Plan on roughly 14 years for a central AC here. Humid summers and the heat-cool swing are demanding, but regular maintenance helps a unit reach the top of that range rather than failing early.
If I replace my AC, do I need a new furnace too?
Not always, but it's worth asking. A central AC shares the indoor coil and blower with your furnace. If the furnace is also old, replacing both as a matched system improves efficiency and avoids a second tear-out a year later — your technician can tell you whether it makes sense for your home.